Chasity Schlitz
Southern Devall
What is your background/bio?
Chasity Schlitz grew up in Hardy, Ark., in a family that worked on inland towboats. Her father, uncle, brother-in-law and grandfather all worked in the maritime profession.
She planned to follow the same path after graduating from high school. Her parents were supportive, with one important caveat: They wanted her to get a college degree first. She earned an associate degree in general studies and a bachelor’s degree in sports management from Ecclesia College in Springdale, Ark. “I tried the restaurant business working at Red Robin as a host, but I still wanted to try working on boats,” she recalled recently.
Schlitz began working as a deck hand for Southern Devall this spring, taking after an uncle who also worked for the company, which is based in Sulphur, La., and Memphis, Tenn. She has found the work challenging but rewarding. “It was just something I was meant to do.”
What is your current position and what does that entail?
Schlitz is assigned to the 130-foot towboat Joseph K. Pate, which pushes barges on the Mississippi River and other inland waterways. As a deck hand, her role involves cooking, cleaning, making locks, tow work and pushing tank barges. “Now that I am on this career path, my goal is to move up to the wheelhouse, and to one day become a captain on a z-drive boat.”
What do you like most about the job?
She said the camaraderie among the crews has been the highlight of her time working the river. “The people make it the best part of the job,” Schlitz said. “Everyone that I am around makes a hard job fun.”